Display processing apparatus and method, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A display processing apparatus acquires a plurality of images and time data corresponding to the respective images. The display processing apparatus selects, as the time interval at which the plurality of images are switched and displayed one by one, either a time interval based on the difference between time data corresponding to images before and after switching, or a predetermined interval. The display processing apparatus switches the plurality of images at the selected time interval, and displays them on a display device.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/307,618,filed on Jun. 18, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/715,154 filed on Dec. 14, 2012, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,792,769, issued on Jul. 29, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display processing apparatus, method,and storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

As a method of playing back still images captured by a camera or thelike, a slide show function of automatically switching and displayingimages at a predetermined interval has conventionally been known. Thisfunction continuously plays back a plurality of still images byswitching and displaying images at even intervals designated in advance.

There is also known a technique of recording time information togetherwith a still image captured by a camera or the like, and automaticallyswitching and displaying images at intervals based on pieces of timeinformation. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-142191discloses a technique in which time information recorded together withan image is recorded in correspondence with the image in an imageserver, and images are transferred to a receiving terminal attransmission intervals based on pieces of time information.

A case in which still images whose image recording dates & times aretemporally discontinuous are continuously played back by the techniquedisclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-142191 will be examined.In this case, if the continuous playback is executed at actual timeintervals of capturing, the user has to wait for a long time untilimages are switched.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided atechnique of playing back a plurality of images at an appropriateplayback interval.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided adisplay processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configuredto acquire a plurality of images and time data corresponding to therespective images; a selection unit configured to select, as a timeinterval at which the plurality of images are switched and displayed oneby one, one of a time interval based on a difference between time datacorresponding to images before and after switching, and a predeterminedinterval; and a processing unit configured to switch the plurality ofimages at the time interval selected by the selection unit, and displaythe plurality of images on a display device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda display processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unitconfigured to acquire an image and a recording time from an imagecapture apparatus configured to capture an image; a selection unitconfigured to select, as a time interval at which a plurality of imagesare switched and displayed one by one, one of a time interval based on adifference between recording times of images before and after switching,and a predetermined interval; and a processing unit configured to switchthe plurality of images at the time interval selected by the selectionunit, and display the plurality of images on a display device.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplifying the configuration of an imageplayback system in which an information processing apparatus is arrangedas a client according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view exemplifying a playback screen;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram exemplifying a functional arrangementimplemented in a client 20;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart exemplifying a processing sequence in the client20;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing an outline of continuous playback;

FIG. 6 is a view exemplifying a playback screen;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart exemplifying a processing sequence in the client20;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart exemplifying a processing sequence in the client20;

FIG. 9 is a view exemplifying a playback screen; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart exemplifying a processing sequence in the client20.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be notedthat the relative arrangement of the components, the numericalexpressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do notlimit the scope of the present invention unless it is specificallystated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplifying the configuration of an imageplayback system in which an information processing apparatus is arrangedas a client according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the image playback system, a camera server 10 and a plurality ofclients 20 are connected via a network 30 such as a LAN (Local AreaNetwork) or WAN (Wide Area Network) so that they can communicate witheach other. The camera server 10 and the plurality of clients 20 neednot always be connected by a network, but may be connected by a USB(Universal Serial Bus) or the like, and the method is arbitrary.Exchange of image data and the like between the camera server 10 and theclient 20 may be performed via a portable storage medium. Alternatively,the client 20 may incorporate an image capture unit. The client 20 maybe a personal computer, tablet terminal, smartphone, or mobile phone.

The camera server 10 includes a CPU 11, memory 12, storage unit 13,capture I/F 14, control I/F 15, and communication unit 16.

The CPU 11 performs overall control of various processes in the cameraserver 10. The memory 12 is formed from, for example, a RAM (RandomAccess Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). Processing in the cameraserver 10 is performed by, for example, loading and executing a programstored in the ROM or the storage unit 13 by the CPU 11 using the memory12 as a work area.

The storage unit 13 is formed from, for example, a hard disk drive, andstores various programs (for example, an application and OS) and thelike.

The capture I/F 14 is a communication interface with an image captureapparatus (for example, a camera) 31. The capture I/F 14 converts animage captured by the image capture apparatus 31 into a predeterminedformat, compresses the converted image, and stores the compressed imagein the memory 12 or the like. The camera server 10 and image captureapparatus 31 may be integrated. The CPU 11 manages the current date &time. When storing an image captured by the image capture apparatus 31in the memory 12, the CPU 11 also stores, in the memory 12, a framenumber and capturing date & time (recording date & time) added to thecaptured image.

The control I/F 15 is a communication interface with a panhead 32. Thecontrol I/F 15 acquires the states of the pan mechanism, tilt mechanism,and rotation mechanism of the panhead 32, and controls the panhead 32.Note that the present invention is not limited to an apparatus capableof changing the capturing direction.

The communication unit 16 is a communication interface for communicatingwith an external apparatus (for example, the client 20). The cameraserver 10 performs, for example, transmission/reception of imagesto/from each client 20 via the communication unit 16.

The client (information processing apparatus) 20 includes a CPU 21,memory 22, storage unit 23, operation unit 24, display unit 25, andcommunication unit 26. The CPU 21, memory 22, storage unit 23, andcommunication unit 26 have the same functions as those of correspondingunits arranged in the camera server 10, and a description thereof willnot be repeated.

The operation unit 24 is formed from, for example, a mouse and keyboard,and inputs various instructions from the user into the apparatus. Thedisplay unit (display device) 25 is formed from, for example, a display,and displays various kinds of information to the user.

FIG. 2 is a view exemplifying a playback screen displayed in the client(information processing apparatus) 20. This screen is displayed by, forexample, loading and executing a playback tool (application) stored inthe storage unit 23 by the CPU 21.

A playback screen 40 is used when images stored in the storage unit 23of the client 20 or the storage unit 13 of the camera server areswitched one by one to perform continuous playback (slide show display).

The playback screen 40 includes an image display area 41, recording date& time 42, playback frame number 43, playback interval selection radiobutton 44, slider bar 45, and playback button 46.

The image display area 41 is an area where continuously played-backimages are displayed. The recording date & time 42 is an area where therecording time of an image displayed in the image display area 41 isdisplayed. The playback frame number 43 is an area where the totalnumber of images and the number of an image currently displayed in theimage display area 41 are displayed. The playback interval selectionradio button 44 is a radio button (exclusive selection) for selectingthe playback interval of images. As the playback interval, the actualtime and even intervals are provided to be selectable. In this case, theactual time is selected.

The slider bar 45 is an area where the position of an image currentlydisplayed among a plurality of images is displayed. The playback button46 is a button for designating the start of continuous playback ofimages.

When the user presses the playback button 46 via the mouse or the like(operation unit 24), the client 20 continuously plays back, in the imagedisplay area 41, images stored in the storage unit 23 or storage unit 13one by one in ascending order of the recording time at a playbackinterval selected by the playback interval selection radio button 44.Along with the continuous playback, the value of the playback framenumber 43 and/or the position of the slider bar 45 change appropriately.Further, time information corresponding to an image currently displayedin the image display area 41 is appropriately switched and displayed asthe recording date & time 42. After playing back all images, thecontinuous playback stops.

When the actual time (first playback method or first playback mode) isselected by the playback interval selection radio button 44, the imagedisplay is switched with the lapse of time complying with actual timeinformation of the recording time of an image currently displayed in theimage display area 41 and the recording time of an image to be displayednext. That is, the image displayed in the image display area 41 is notswitched till the lapse of time complying with actual time informationof the recording time of an image currently displayed and the recordingtime of an image to be displayed next.

When the even intervals (second playback method or second playback mode)are selected by the playback interval selection radio button 44, imagesare switched and displayed in the image display area 41 every time apredetermined time elapses, regardless of the recording time (that is,time information) of the image.

Next, an example of a functional arrangement implemented in the client(information processing apparatus) 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 3.

The client 20 includes, as its functional arrangement, an imageacquisition unit 61, selection unit 62, and display processing unit 63.The image acquisition unit 61 acquires a plurality of images to undergocontinuous playback.

In continuous playback of a plurality of images, the selection unit 62selects a playback method (actual time or even intervals). Thisselection is made based on a selection by the playback intervalselection radio button 44 described with reference to FIG. 2.

The display processing unit 63 controls the display of various screens.The display processing unit 63 includes a calculation unit 63 a whichcalculates a playback interval used when switching and displaying aplurality of images.

An example of a processing sequence in the client (informationprocessing apparatus) 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 4. A processing sequence when the user presses theplayback button 46 in the playback screen 40 described with reference toFIG. 2 will be explained. This flowchart is part of a program to beexecuted by the CPU 21 serving as a computer. This program is stored inthe storage unit 23 so that the CPU 21 can read it out.

When the user presses the playback button 46 via the mouse or the like(operation unit 24), the process starts (YES in step S101). After thestart of the process, the client 20 controls the image acquisition unit61 to determine whether images are stored in the storage unit 23. Ifimages are stored (YES in step S102), the client 20 controls the imageacquisition unit 61 to acquire a plurality of images from the storageunit 23 (step S103). If no image is stored (NO in step S102), the client20 controls the image acquisition unit 61 to request the camera server10 via the communication unit 26 to acquire images. As a response, theclient 20 controls the image acquisition unit 61 to acquire a pluralityof images from the server 10 (step S104). Assume that a frame number andtime information (recording date & time) are added to each of theseacquired images. If no image has been acquired from the client 20 andcamera server 10, the process ends due to an error. A situation in whichno image is stored in the storage unit 23 may be determined as an error.Whether images are stored in the storage unit 13 may be determinedwithout determining whether images are stored in the storage unit 23.Before pressing the playback button 46, a folder which stores images tobe played back may be designated to determine whether images are storedin the folder.

After acquiring images, the client 20 controls the display processingunit 63 to display the first image in the image display area 41 (stepS109). Then, the client 20 controls the selection unit 62 to select aplayback interval used when continuously playing back images. Asdescribed above, this selection is made based on the playback intervalselection radio button 44 described with reference to FIG. 2.

If even intervals are selected as the playback interval (NO in stepS105), the client 20 waits till the lapse of a predetermined time afterdisplay of the image in step S109 (NO in step S108). The playbackinterval in this case is even intervals. If the predetermined time haselapsed (YES in step S108), the client 20 determines whether all imageshave been displayed. If all images have been displayed (YES in stepS110), the client 20 ends the process. If there is an undisplayed image(NO in step S110), the client 20 returns again to the processing of stepS109 to display the next image.

If the client 20 determines in step S105 that the actual time isselected as the playback interval (YES in step S105), it controls thecalculation unit 63 a to calculate, based on pieces of time information(recording dates & times) of images, a playback interval until the imageis switched to the next one to display it (step S106). Morespecifically, the difference between time information of an imagecurrently displayed and that of an image to be displayed next isobtained as the playback interval. The client 20 waits till the lapse ofthe calculated playback interval (NO in step S107). The playbackinterval in this case is the actual time.

If the calculated playback interval has elapsed (YES in step S107), theclient 20 determines whether all images have been displayed. If allimages have been displayed (YES in step S110), the client 20 ends theprocess. If there is an undisplayed image (NO in step S110), the client20 returns again to the processing of step S109 to display the nextimage.

As described above, according to the embodiment, when continuouslyplaying back a plurality of images, even intervals or the actual timecan be selected as the playback interval. It can therefore be selectedto display temporally discontinuous images at even intervals, anddisplay temporally continuous images in the actual time.

This can suppress generation of an unnecessary waiting time incontinuous playback of a plurality of images, improving userfriendliness.

An automatic mode (third playback method) in which the playback intervalis automatically switched between actual-time playback and even-intervalplayback based on time information associated with an image may be set.A case in which this mode is set will be explained below.

First, a case in which a plurality of images having temporallycontinuous or discontinuous recording times (pieces of time information)are played back will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.FIG. 5A shows a video 50 containing a plurality of images havingtemporally continuous recording times. FIG. 5B shows a video 50containing a plurality of images having temporally discontinuousrecording times.

The video 50 contains a plurality of images. For each image, an image ID52 and recording date & time 53 are held in correspondence with theimage. The image ID 52 is a unique number in the video 50, and serialnumbers are set in this case. The recording date & time 53 indicates,for example, the date & time when the capture I/F 14 of the cameraserver 10 converted an image captured by the image capture apparatus 31into a predetermined format, and compressed the converted image. In thiscase, year, month, day, time, minute, and second are held.

As described above, FIG. 5B shows a case in which the video 50 is formedfrom a plurality of images having discontinuous recording dates & times.Reference numeral 54 denotes a time blank in which no image exists.

An example of a playback screen when the automatic mode is set will beexplained with reference to FIG. 6. The arrangement except for theplayback interval selection radio button 44 and slider bar 45 is thesame as that in FIG. 2, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

The playback interval selection radio button 44 newly includes a radiobutton for selecting automatic intervals in addition to the actual timeand even intervals.

The slider bar 45 is color-coded and displayed so that, when theplayback interval is changed from even intervals to the actual timeduring continuous playback, the user can visually recognize this.

When automatic intervals are selected as the playback interval and thedifference in time information between images (already displayed imageand an image to be displayed next) is smaller than a predetermined time,the playback interval is switched to actual-time playback(automatically), the slider bar 45 is filled in color, and images areplayed back. When the difference in time information between images isequal to or larger than the predetermined time, the playback interval isswitched to even-interval playback (automatically), and images areplayed back without changing the color of the slider bar 45 (same coloras that for a no-playback period). For example, the slider bar 45 isdisplayed in red during an actual-time playback period and blue duringan even-interval playback period. To the contrary, the slider bar 45 maybe filled in color during an even-interval playback period. The playbackinterval is repetitively changed until the end of displaying all images.

An example of a processing sequence in the client 20 when the automaticmode is set will be described with reference to FIG. 7. A processingsequence when the user presses the playback button while selectingautomatic intervals in the playback screen described with reference toFIG. 6 will be explained. Processing when the actual time or evenintervals are selected as the playback interval is the same as thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 4, and a description thereof will notbe repeated.

When the user presses the playback button 46 via the mouse or the like(operation unit 24), the process starts (YES in step S201). After thestart of the process, the client 20 controls the image acquisition unit61 to determine whether images are stored in the storage unit 23. Ifimages are stored (YES in step S202), the client 20 controls the imageacquisition unit 61 to acquire a plurality of images from the storageunit 23 (step S203). If no image is stored (NO in step S202), the client20 controls the image acquisition unit 61 to request the camera server10 via the communication unit 26 to acquire images. As a response, theclient 20 controls the image acquisition unit 61 to acquire a pluralityof images from the server 10 (step S204).

After acquiring images, the client 20 controls the display processingunit 63 to display the first image in the image display area 41 (stepS210). Then, the client 20 controls the calculation unit 63 a tocalculate, based on pieces of time information (recording dates & times)of images, a playback interval between the image displayed in step S210and the next image (step S205).

If the calculated playback interval is equal to or longer than apredetermined time (NO in step S206), the client 20 performseven-interval playback. That is, the client 20 waits till the lapse ofthe predetermined time after display of the image in step S210 (NO instep S209). The predetermined waiting time is constant regardless of theplayback interval calculated in step S205. If the predetermined time haselapsed (YES in step S209), the client 20 determines whether all imageshave been displayed. If all images have been displayed (YES in stepS211), the client 20 ends the process. If there is an undisplayed image(NO in step S211), the client 20 returns again to the processing of stepS210 to display the next image.

If the client 20 determines in step S206 that the playback interval isshorter than the predetermined time (YES in step S206), the client 20performs actual-time playback. In this processing, first, the client 20controls the display processing unit 63 to fill, in a predeterminedcolor with the lapse of time, a range of the slider bar 45 from the timewhen an image currently displayed is positioned in the video to the timewhen an image to be displayed next is positioned in the video (stepS207). That is, when actual-time playback is performed, a correspondingrange of the slider bar 45 is filled in a predetermined color to notifythe user of a change of the playback interval. Then, the client 20 waitstill the lapse of the playback interval calculated in the processing ofstep S205 (NO in step S208).

The client 20 then determines whether all images have been displayed. Ifall images have been displayed (YES in step S211), the client 20 endsthe process. If there is an undisplayed image (NO in step S211), theclient 20 returns again to the processing of step S210.

Note that the display color of the slider bar 45 may be switched inaccordance with the playback interval of images prior to the start ofdisplaying a plurality of images.

As described above, automatic intervals may be set as a playbackinterval selection item. When automatic intervals are selected, piecesof time information of images are compared, and which of the actual timeand even intervals are selected as the playback interval may be switchedbased on the time difference.

Hence, the playback interval is automatically switched between theactual time and even intervals, further improving user friendliness.

When the playback method is switched, a corresponding range of theslider bar 45 is filled in a predetermined color. The user can beappropriately notified that the playback method has been switched.

Needless to say, another display may be used to notify the user ofswitching of the playback method. For example, a message that theplayback method has been switched may be displayed in the message fieldof the playback screen 40.

Next, a case in which, when the playback interval is changed, playbackis paused instead of changing the color of a corresponding range of theslider bar 45 will be explained.

An example of a processing sequence in the client 20 when playback ispaused will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Processes differentfrom those in FIG. 7 will be mainly explained, and a description of thesame processes will not be repeated. Since processes in steps S301 toS306 and S313 are the same as those in steps S201 to S206 and S210 ofFIG. 7, respectively, processes in step S307 and subsequent steps willbe described.

If the client 20 determines in step S306 that the playback intervalcalculated by the calculation unit 63 a is shorter than a predeterminedtime (YES in step S306), the client 20 controls the display processingunit 63 to determine whether the previous playback interval is theactual time (step S307). If the previous playback interval is the actualtime (YES in step S307), and the playback interval calculated in theprocessing of step S305 has elapsed (YES in step S308), the client 20determines whether all images have been displayed. If all images havebeen displayed (YES in step S314), the client 20 ends the process. Ifthere is an undisplayed image (NO in step S314), the client 20 returnsagain to the processing of step S313, and controls the displayprocessing unit 63 to display the next image in the image display area41. The playback interval in this case is the actual time.

If the previous playback interval is not the actual time (NO in stepS307), the client 20 controls the display processing unit 63 to pausecontinuous playback (step S309). If the user cancels the pause via themouse or the like (operation unit 24) (YES in step S310), the client 20determines whether all images have been displayed (step S314). If thereis an undisplayed image (NO in step S314), the client 20 returns againto the processing of step S313, and controls the display processing unit63 to display the next image in the image display area 41.

If the client 20 determines in step S306 that the playback interval isequal to or longer than the predetermined time (NO in step S306), theclient 20 controls the display processing unit 63 to determine whetherthe previous playback interval is even intervals (step S311). If theprevious playback interval is even intervals (YES in step S311), theclient 20 waits till the lapse of the predetermined time after thedisplay of the current image (NO in step S312). If the predeterminedtime has elapsed (YES in step S312), the client 20 determines whetherall images have been displayed (step S314). If there is an undisplayedimage, the client 20 returns again to the processing of step S313, andcontrols the display processing unit 63 to display the next image in theimage display area 41. The playback interval in this case is evenintervals. If the previous playback interval is not even intervals (NOin step S311), the client 20 executes the processes of steps S309 andS310. If there is an undisplayed image after pause (NO in step S314),the client 20 displays the next image (step S313).

As described above, when changing the playback interval, continuousplayback is paused. Even in this case, the user can be appropriatelynotified to change the interval of continuous playback.

Next, an arrangement which allows the user to designate the (total)playback time in even-interval playback will be described.

An example of a playback screen which allows the user to designate the(total) playback time in even-interval playback will be explained withreference to FIG. 9. The arrangement except for a playback timepull-down list 47 is the same as that in FIG. 2, and a descriptionthereof will not be repeated.

The playback time pull-down list 47 is a list for selecting a totalplayback time. When the user selects even intervals as the playbackinterval, he designates a total playback time from the list 47. When theactual time is selected as the playback interval, the playback timepull-down list 47 may be protected to inhibit selection.

When the user designates a total playback time from the list 47, theclient 20 controls the calculation unit 63 a to determine (calculate) aplayback interval based on the total number of images to be played backand the total playback time designated from the list 47. The client 20performs continuous playback at the determined playback interval.

An example of a processing sequence in the client 20 when the user candesignate the (total) playback time in even-interval playback will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 10. A processing sequence when theplayback interval is determined upon selecting even intervals as theplayback interval will be explained. The remaining processes are thesame as those described in the embodiment, and a description thereofwill not be repeated.

After the start of the process, first, the client 20 controls thecalculation unit 63 a to acquire the total number of images to undergocontinuous playback (step S401), and acquire the total playback time(step S402). Note that the total playback time is acquired based oninformation designated in the playback time pull-down list 47 describedwith reference to FIG. 9.

Then, in step S403, the client 20 controls the calculation unit 63 a tocalculate a playback interval based on the total number of imagesacquired in the processing of step S401 and the total playback timecalculated in the processing of step S402. The playback interval isobtained by dividing the total playback time by the total number ofimages. When even intervals are selected as the playback interval, theclient 20 controls the display processing unit 63 to switch and displayimages at the calculated playback interval.

As for the interval in actual-time playback, images may be switched sothat the ratio of the recording time interval and the playback timeinterval becomes constant to end playback of a plurality of targetimages within the total playback time. For example, when the differencebetween the recording time of the first image and that of the finalimage is 10 min and images are displayed in 1 min, the images areswitched at the one-tenth interval of the recording time.

As described above, the user can designate the total playback time ofcontinuous playback in even-interval playback, further improving userfriendliness.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (for example, a computer-readable storage medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2012-004463 filed on Jan. 12, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display control apparatus for causing a displaydevice to display an image, the display control apparatus comprising: aprocessor operatively coupled to a memory, the processor functioning as:(1) an acquisition unit configured to acquire, from a server connectedwith the display control apparatus via a network, first image datarepresenting a first image to be displayed on the display device and towhich first time data representing a first time is added, and secondimage data representing a second image to be displayed on the displaydevice after the first image and to which second time data representinga second time is added; and (2) a processing unit configured to performdisplay processing to display the first image on the display device fora first time period according to a difference between the first time andthe second time if the difference between the first time and the secondtime is shorter than or equal to a predetermined time period, and toperform display processing to display the first image on the displaydevice for a second time period different from the first time period ifthe difference between the first time and the second time is longer thanthe predetermined time period.
 2. The display control apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured toperform display processing to display, on the display device, anindicator indicating whether a time period for displaying the firstimage is the first time period or not.
 3. A display control apparatusfor causing a display device to display an image, the display controlapparatus comprising: a processor operatively coupled to a memory, theprocessor functioning as: (1) an acquisition unit configured to acquirefirst image data representing a first image to be displayed on thedisplay device and second image data representing a second image to bedisplayed on the display device after the first image from a recordingapparatus connected to the display control apparatus via a network; and(2) a processing unit configured to perform a display processing todisplay the first image on the display device for a first time periodaccording to a difference between a recording time of the first imageand a recording time of the second image if the difference between therecording time of the first image and the recording time of the secondimage is shorter than or equal to a predetermined time period, and toperform display processing to display the first image on the displaydevice for a second time period different from the first time period ifthe difference between the recording time of the first image and therecording time of the second image is longer than the predetermined timeperiod.
 4. The display control apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe processing unit is configured to perform display processing todisplay, on the display device, an indicator indicating whether a timeperiod for displaying the first image is the first time period or not.5. A method performed by a display control apparatus, the methodcomprising: acquiring, from a server connected with the display controlapparatus via a network, first image data representing a first image tobe displayed on a display device and to which first time datarepresenting a first time is added; acquiring, from the server connectedwith the display control apparatus via the network, second image datarepresenting a second image to be displayed on the display device afterthe first image and to which second time data representing a second timeis added; performing display processing to display the first image onthe display device for a first time period according to a differencebetween the first time and the second time if the difference between thefirst time and the second time is shorter than or equal to apredetermined time period; and performing display processing to displaythe first image on the display device for a second time period differentfrom the first time period if the difference between the first time andthe second time is longer than the predetermined time period.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein an indicator is displayed on thedisplay device for indicating whether a time period for displaying thefirst image is the first time period or not.
 7. A method performed by adisplay control apparatus, the method comprising: acquiring first imagedata representing a first image to be displayed on the display deviceand second image data representing a second image to be displayed on thedisplay device after the first image from a recording apparatusconnected to the display control apparatus via a network; performingdisplay processing to display the first image on the display device fora first time period according to a difference between a recording timeof the first image and a recording time of the second image if thedifference between the recording time of the first image and therecording time of the second image is shorter than or equal to apredetermined time period; and performing display processing to displaythe first image on the display device for a second time period differentfrom the first time period if the difference between the recording timeof the first image and the recording time of the second image is longerthan the predetermined time period.
 8. The method according to claim 7,wherein an indicator is displayed on the display device for indicatingwhether a time period for displaying the first image is the first timeperiod or not.
 9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumstoring a computer program for performing a method of display controlprocessing by a computer for causing a display device to display animage, the method comprising: acquiring, from a server connected withthe computer via a network, first image data representing a first imageto be displayed on the display device and to which first time datarepresenting a first time is added; acquiring, from the server connectedwith the computer via the network, second image data representing asecond image to be displayed on the display device after the first imageand to which second time data representing a second time is added;performing display processing to display the first image on the displaydevice for a first time period according to a difference between thefirst time and the second time if the difference between the first timeand the second time is shorter than or equal to a predetermined timeperiod; and performing display processing to display the first image onthe display device for a second time period different from the firsttime period if the difference between the first time and the second timeis longer than the predetermined time period.
 10. The storage mediumaccording to claim 9, wherein an indicator is displayed on the displaydevice for indicating whether a time period for displaying the firstimage is the first time period or not.
 11. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a computer program forperforming a method of display control processing by a computer forcausing a display device to display an image, the method comprising:acquiring first image data representing a first image to be displayed onthe display device and second image data representing a second image tobe displayed on the display device after the first image from arecording apparatus connected to the computer via a network; performingdisplay processing to display the first image on the display device fora first time period according to a difference between a recording timeof the first image and a recording time of the second image if thedifference between the recording time of the first image and therecording time of the second image is shorter than or equal to apredetermined time period; and performing display processing to displaythe first image on the display device for a second time period differentfrom the first time period if the difference between the recording timeof the first image and the recording time of the second image is longerthan the predetermined time period.
 12. The storage medium according toclaim 11, wherein an indicator is displayed on the display device forindicating whether a time period for displaying the first image is thefirst time period or not.